Plutonium and Quantum Criticlity

TL;DR

This paper explores the hypothesis that the unusual properties of elemental plutonium are related to quantum criticality, supported by experimental observations of pairing correlations in f-electron metals and a critical point in electron pairing density.

Contribution

It presents experimental evidence linking plutonium's properties to quantum criticality through pairing correlations in f-electron materials.

Findings

Evidence of pairing correlations in f-electron metals.

Identification of a critical point in electron pairing density.

Implications for understanding plutonium's anomalous properties.

Abstract

The unusual properties of elemental plutonium have long been a puzzle. It has been suggested that these properties may be related to quantum criticality [G. Chapline, J. L. Smith LA Sci 26 (2000) 1]. In this talk we will describe some experimental observations on rare earth and actinide materials which suggest that there are pairing correlations in all f-electron metals, and that the anomalous properties of the elemental actinides in the vicinity of Np/Pu/Am,even at elevated temperatures, is associated with a critical point in the variation of the density of paired electrons with atomic number.